Expert Root Canal Treatment for North Finchley Patients

Root canal treatment, also called endodontic treatment, is needed when the soft tissue inside the tooth, the pulp, becomes inflamed or infected. This is usually caused by deep decay, repeated procedures, or a crack or chip. Seek an assessment if you have sharp, persistent pain when chewing, long lasting sensitivity to hot or cold, tooth discoloration, or tender and swollen gums near the troubled tooth. Sometimes there are no symptoms and the issue is found on an X-ray. Ignoring these signs can lead to a painful abscess and possible tooth loss.

We aim to make the process clear and comfortable. First, you will have a 60 minute consultation with digital imaging and a 3D CBCT scan to diagnose the problem precisely. The treatment is done under local anaesthetic and usually lasts 60 to 90 minutes. Dr. Reddy uses a dental operating microscope to carefully remove infected pulp from the root canals and seal them. A recent patient from North Finchley with a painful molar infection was treated in one 75 minute visit and reported immediate relief. After treatment, a temporary filling is placed. You will then return to your general dentist for a permanent filling or crown within a few weeks to protect the tooth from fracture. This final step is essential for long term success, which has a success rate of over 90%.

After a root canal you may feel some tenderness for a few days, especially if there was pain or infection beforehand. This discomfort is usually mild and can be managed with over the counter painkillers like ibuprofen. Avoid chewing on the treated tooth until it is permanently restored with a crown. A patient who traveled from Whetstone for a complex retreatment followed a soft food diet for two days and was back to normal activity by day three. Maintain good oral hygiene by brushing and flossing as usual. Red flags during office hours Mon/Wed/Fri 9 to 5, Tue/Thu 11 to 7 include severe pain or pressure lasting more than a few days, visible swelling, an allergic reaction to medication, or an uneven bite.

Our philosophy is to save natural teeth whenever possible. However, the only true alternative to root canal treatment is extracting the tooth. While extraction is quicker and initially less expensive, it can lead to long term problems like shifting teeth, difficulty chewing, and bone loss in the jaw. Replacing the extracted tooth with a dental implant or a bridge is more involved and costly than saving the tooth with endodontic treatment. During your consultation, we will honestly discuss the prognosis for your tooth and help you compare the long term benefits and costs of saving it versus extracting and replacing it.

To choose what's right for you, here are some important questions to ask any dentist about root canal treatment, whether at our Finchley practice or another in North London: Do you use a dental operating microscope for all root canal procedures? What is your success rate for this type of procedure? What are the full costs, including the consultation, 3D scan, and treatment? Will I need a crown afterwards, and is that a separate cost? What are Dr. Reddy's qualifications in endodontics? He holds a University of Manchester MSc. Do you accept private dental insurance plans like Denplan or Cigna?

The cost of private root canal treatment depends on the complexity of the case and which tooth is affected. Molars, for example, have more canals and are more difficult to treat. A precise fixed fee quote is provided after your initial consultation and 3D scan. This fee is all inclusive, covering the diagnosis, scans, and the treatment itself, with no hidden charges. As we are a private practice, we do not offer NHS treatment. We do, however, accept patients with private dental insurance from major providers including Max Bupa, Denplan, and Cigna. Our team will help you with the necessary paperwork for your claim.